Figure 2.

Schematic diagram illustrating functions of circRNAs. (a) Acting as miRNA sponges: circRNAs contain a common miRNA response element (MRE) that can bind to miRNA and prevent them from interacting with mRNA. (b) Interaction with RBPs: circRNAs can bind to RBPs to regulate mRNA expression by altering the splicing pattern or mRNA stability. (c) Regulation transcription: circRNAs play a regulatory role in the transcription of their parent coding genes. (d) Protein translation: circRNAs have coding potential and can be translated into proteins with ribosomes.